World’s first ‘plant bottle’ debuts at TUKI

The Plant Bottle, produced by Southern Lakes-based company For The Better Good (FTBG), will cost $4.50 and is made from plants such as corn, potatoes and cellulose.

The world’s first-ever water bottle made completely from plants was launched over the weekend at Lake Wanaka's TUKI Festival.

The Plant Bottle, produced by Southern Lakes-based company For The Better Good (FTBG), will cost $4.50 and is made from plants such as corn, potatoes and cellulose.

It will be sold to eliminate waste at the event. FTBG founder Jayden Klinac said,

“The great thing about plastic from plants is that it is natural and nontoxic, so you can safely reuse it as many times as you like. If it is kept in the correct conditions, it will last until you decide to have it composted,” Jayden said.

The bottles will be composted and recycled in New Zealand, and the current lid, which is made from 100 percent recycled polypropylene, will also be recycled domestically.

They are also designed to break down in commercial compost within 90 to 180 days.

Pointing to the fact that a million plastic water bottles are sold around the world every minute and more than eight million tonnes of plastic waste is dumped into the ocean every year, Jayden said he hoped festival-goers would purchase a Plant Bottle and refill it throughout the day.

TUKI Festival assistant director Martine Harding said: “The one-use plastic model is old news, we need to act on a sustainable future for festivals and beyond.”

FTBG is a social enterprise and proceeds from each bottle sold will support further bottle and system developments, whilst also contributing to clean water initiatives in New Zealand and overseas.